29 Aug 2019

Stock theft has been a persistent problem posing a serious threat to Botswana’s economy, food security, people’s livelihoods and social development, says Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Mr Shaw Kgathi.

Officially opening a two-day stock theft Pitso in Palapye on August 29, Minister Kgathi said in recent decades, the frequency, intensity and complexity of stock theft has had detrimental consequences on many farmers.

Minister Kgathi noted that livestock remained a valuable asset, an important source of wealth, food, social identity, recognition, pride and status as well as a symbol of prosperity, prestige and security.

In addition, livestock, especially cattle, was not merely a source of food but also a form of social capital important for negotiations, such as lobola and social investment for many communities.

“That is why when livestock is stolen it comes with much trauma and disdain to many, particularly the rural farmers and the impact tends to be more severe for small scale farmers as in most instances, livestock is often the sole source of their livelihood and the backbone of rural economies,” he said.

The minister said besides the amendment of the Stock Theft Act, government had put in place several initiatives aimed at mitigating the challenge.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, he said, had put in place mechanisms  facilitating traceability of livestock with a view to preventing illegal dealing in stolen stock while Botswana Police Service had invested in DNA technology, Kgomokhumo and cluster policing to fight the problem.

Mr Kgathi however said a lot still needed to be done to overcome the escalating challenges of stock theft.

He said the Pitso was expected to bring to the fore challenges experienced by various players in the fight against the crime and find solutions.

Mr Kgathi explained that the challenges experienced in the fight against stock theft included lack of evidence to sustain and prosecute cases and reluctance by farmers to testify against suspects in court due to associated costs.

In addition, he said highly sophisticated criminal syndicates involved in stock theft as well as over reliance on the police to solve stock theft cases hindered progress in tackling the criminal activity.

Mr Kgathi acknowledged challenges faced by the criminal justice system but said government was committed to providing adequate resources necessary to empower prosecution, courts, traditional leaders and investigators to successfully curtail the crime.

He said the pitso attendants should come up with a platform and system to enable all stakeholders to participate in the criminal justice system to close the gaps impeding synergy between partakers and also come up with ways of enhancing research and intelligence to combat stock theft.

The pitso, held under the theme: “Stakeholder collaboration to combat the threat posed by stock theft to the livelihood and economic empowerment of the society”, was organised by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. ENDS